lalu Prasad’s conviction has triggered a major leadership crisis for the RJD — perhaps the most serious in the party’s history.
A party that came to power in Bihar in 1990 in the name of social justice is now dominated by upper caste Rajput leaders. Now that lalu is contemplating to pass on the baton to his son, his plan may face opposition from party seniors. lalu reportedly wants son Tejaswi Yadav to play a bigger role, but a section of party loyalists want elder son Tej Pratap to shoulder that responsibility in lalu’s absence.
Though, Tejaswi has been active in the party for quite some time now, both the siblings are quite inexperienced to handle party affairs in times of crisis. The three upper caste MPs — Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Prabhunath Singh and Jagdananda Singh — will also play a big role in solving the crisis.
Rabri Devi: Wife of lalu Prasad, Rabri led the Bihar Government when her husband was in jail or involved in national politics. She would perhaps be the most trusted person for lalu to fall back upon. However, Rabri lacks the charisma of a leader who could steer the party in a situation like this. Even while active in politics, she had lalu on her side to take major decisions. Things would be different for her after Monday’s conviction. Still she could be the most preferred consensus choice to lead the party in case of a tie
Tej Pratap / Tejaswi Yadav: The two sons of lalu Prasad have started taking active interest in politics. Tejaswi dumped his love for cricket (he was part of Delhi Daredevils’ IPl team) to get involved in party affairs. He toured the State to connect with the youth and is considered to be close to his father. Though, not as flamboyant as his younger brother, Tej Pratap also wants to play a role in politics. He is considered close to his mother, Rabri Devi. But, their inexperience could put up hurdles in taking over the reins of the party
Raghuvansh Prasad Singh: The former Union Minister is a long time friend of lalu Yadav, whom the RJD boss always listens to, but hardly follows. Singh has been a critic of lalu's style of politics and growing influence of Yadav family in the RJD. Singh is considered “upper caste” face of the RJD and has a relatively clean and no-nonsense image. He could be the ideal choice to head the RJD when the party was trying to woo the upper castes, but lalu's compulsion of backward politics and opposition from the family could play spoilsport
Abdul Bari Siddiqui: leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Siddiqui has been a family loyalist who stood with lalu even during times of crisis. A Muslim, Siddiqui also fits in lalu's arithmetic for Bihar. But his stature of a State leader, who is hardly known outside Bihar, and possible opposition from upper caste leaders of the RJD would make him an unlikely choice for the top post
Other options: lalu may continue to remain the chief of the RJD and appoint a working president to look after the day to day affairs of the party. A team of party leaders, including lalu's son and other seniors, could be set up to steer it until lalu gets a relief from upper court